Metro, Bus & Uber – The Tour Guy
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Sean Finelli
Heading to Barcelona and wondering how to get around in the city by the sea? It’s great you’re doing research ahead of time! A little bit of research goes a long way when visiting a foreign city. This quick guide will explain how to get around Barcelona including the metro system (subway), busses, and even ride-sharing apps like Uber.
Pro Tip: Consider bookmarking this page in your browser so you can circle back to it on your trip. Also, check out our guide to Barcelona page with tons of helpful articles. Finally, the best way to get your bearings is by taking a walking tour of Barcelona. Local guides can answer in-person questions not to mention a great tour will bring a city to life!
Your Options for Getting Around Barcelona: Metro, Bus, Bikes & Uber
Barcelona is such a cool town with many of different neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has a unique look and feel that makes the city so great to visit. Barcelona is fairly spread out with diverse sections of the city which means you’ll need to move around. You will very likely need to hop on the subway or hail a cab at least once and that is why we built this super simple guide!
Barcelona’s Metro (subway) & Bus System
Barcelona public subway system is known as “TMB” which stands for Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona. It is the same company that operates Barcelona’s bus system.
You can purchase unlimited access to both bus and metro for 16.30€ for adults for 48hs. It is free for children 4 year old and under but they obviously need to be accompanied by an adult.
The travel card is known as Hola Barcelona and can be purchased directly when you arrive in the city. Here are some options:
Subway & Bus Costs
There are many subway & bus options to consider.
Single Use Cards:
A single-use card costs 2.
40€ for bus or subway. You’d have to take mass-transit 7 times in 2 days to make a 48h card worth the price.
Multiple Use Cards: Recommended!
My preferred card would be the T-Casual Card which is good for 10 journeys and costs 11.35€.
Unlimited Use Cards:
- 16.30€ for 48h
- 23.70€ for 72h
- 30.80€ for 96h
- 38.00€ for 120h
I personally would wait until you arrive to purchase a pass. Normally when I visit Barcelona I end up purchasing a few individual metro passes,
Subway From the Airport
There is also a subway line from Barcelona Airport into the city which is something to consider. It is called the Metro line L9 Sud and it connects Terminal 1 & Terminal 2. It is a 32 minute ride to the center and costs 5.15€
Bus and Subway Maps
Here are two bus and subway maps direct from TMB for Barcelona you can print.
- Printable Metro (Subway) Map
- Printable Bus Map
Barcelona Food Tour in Bari Gothic
Looking to get more hands-on with Catalonian cuisine? Our food tour in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona will get you up to speed on tapas, Spanish wine, and food culture.
Walking & Bikes
Walking and Biking in Barcelona are great options. The city center is mostly flat which makes both options relatively fatigue-free. There are many pedestrian areas that are bike-friendly in zones like Bari Gothic and El Raval which make both biking and walking ideal.
Also, areas like Eixample are relatively new and feature grid-like roads which makes it difficult to get lost. There are also biker friendly lanes on many of the major thoroughfares.
Rent a Bike System
Unlike many other cities, there is no rent by the hour bike service available for Barcelona visitors as of November 2020. This post is updated twice annually so if that changes this article will be updated.
Bicing
I do not mean you can’t rent bikes in Barcelona. You most certainly can. I mean that there is no contactless system of bike stations for visitors. If you live in Barcelona there is a subscription program called Bicing that asks an annual fee of 47.
16€ for the free use of bikes for up to 30 minutes. After that, you pay 74 cents every 30 minutes.
It doesn’t really make sense to pay this fee if you are planning on a 4 day trip to Barcelona, but there are other options.
Barcelona Rent-A-Bike
This company has 4 rental locations in Barcelona and charges reasonable prices. You may pay a few euros more or less elsewhere but being able to pick up and drop off in different parts of the city is pretty convenient.
Taxi, Uber, & Ride-Sharing Apps
These are all pretty obvious options in any city and so I will be relatively brief.
Taxi
Taxi’s are available basically anywhere in Europe and pretty easy to access. If you’ve been to Europe you already know that and if you have not you’ll find out soon. The main advice when taking a taxi is to not try and negotiate rates – they are not a black car in manhattan. Airport service has flat rates and all other services are pay by meter.
The best advice I can give you is to pull up your destination in wifi on your phone and get thee directions started. If you don’t have a data plan for Europe, you can put your phone on airplane mode and your GPS will still work. You simply won’t be able to pull up new directions.
Airport Fares for Barcelona:
Unlike other cities such as Rome, there is no fixed maximum price for a taxi-ride from the airport. Instead, there is a minimum. If your hotel is in central Barcelona it is a good idea to grab a taxi. I have taken them many times in the past and it always comes in under 35€.
Minimum Charge from Airport: 20€
Average Cost from Airport: 30€ – 35€
Remember, there is also a subway line from Barcelona Airport into the city which is something to consider. It is called the Metro line L9 Sud and it connects Terminal 1 & Terminal 2. It is a 32 minute ride to the center and costs 5.15€
Uber in Barcelona
This is a much more complicated subject.
Uber is allowed to operate in Spain but currently is inactive in Barcelona. You can find it in Madrid. Instead, Uber partners with Spain’s Social Car.
Basically, you can rent someone else’s car from them. I don’t recommend this option mostly due to parking being inconvenient and the option is a bit complicated to get from Sagrada Familia to the Barcelona Cathedral.
If you want to know more about Uber check our two articles that go more in depth:
- Is Uber in Spain?
- Is Uber in Barcelona?
Lyft does not currently operate in Europe.
Barcelona in a Day Tour with Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, & Casa Batllò
Barcelona is a city that deserves an explanation. Our Barcelona in a day tour is led by one of our passionate local guides who really dives into why the city is so unique. Beyond that, it is the best way to ensure entry to these top Barcelona attractions.
About Sean Finelli
Sean is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy.
He studied finance and statistics, but that is his “Dr. Jekyll” side! His “Mr. Hyde” is in love with travel, art, history, and culture. Sean has read libraries of historical text and believes that all internet content should come from books. A practice he follows!
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RideGuru – Uber, Lyft & Rideshares at BCN
Back to Airports Listing
Available rideshares and pickup/dropoff policies
Barcelona International Airport (BCN), Spain
Are there Uber and Lyft at Barcelona International Airport? How do I request a ride, and where do I meet my Uber and Lyft
drivers? What are the pickup and dropoff policies like? Are there designated areas?
See below for rideshare information at Barcelona International Airport. Eager to get going? See how much a ride would cost
by pressing this button:
Get a Fare Estimate
Rideshares Available at Barcelona International Airport
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Taxi
Airport Fees
| Airport Fee (pickup) | 4,20 EUR |
Rideshare Pickup/Dropoff Instructions for Barcelona International Airport
Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft can drop you off at the departure level, along side regular
passengers and taxis.
Notify your driver of the airlines and preferably the terminal upon entering the
airport premises.
-
Request the right vehicle size
Keep in mind your luggage requirements. Choose a ride option that will comfortably fit all of the
passengers and your suitcases. Here’s a guide: How much luggage can I bring in my Uber/Lyft? -
Proceed to Ground Transportation on Arrivals Level.
After getting off a flight, follow the signs to “Ground Transportation” and “Baggage Claim.” When
ready, walk outside and look for “Passenger Pickups” or a designated area labeled,
“TNC/Rideshares.” -
Notify your driver of your location
Call or message your driver with information such as Terminal, Door Number and any other
information that will help locate you.
More tips and advice on requesting a ride and finding your driver at the airport: Tips &
Advice: Requesting an Uber/Lyft for Airport Pickup
RideGuru Forum
Did you have any problems or confusion with rideshares or taxis at Barcelona International Airport?
Tell us about it in our discussion forum.
Barcelona Area Airports
| Airport | City | Supported Rideshares |
|---|---|---|
|
Barcelona International Airport (BCN) Barcelona |
Barcelona |
Airport Fees Airport Fee (pickup) 4,20 EUR |
|
Airport – Rodalies de Catalunya
El Prat |
El Prat | |
|
Sabadell Airport (QSA) Sabadell |
Sabadell |
Train Stations Near Barcelona
| Airport | City | Supported Rideshares |
|---|---|---|
|
Placa d Espanya Station
Barcelona |
Barcelona | |
|
Santa Coloma de Cervell Railway Station
Santa Coloma de Cervello |
Santa Coloma de Cervello |
Sagrada Familia – lift inside Christ Tower
The World of Antoni Gaudí
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May 05, 2020
In the autumn of 2018, the construction of the central tower of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona finally began, which is scheduled for completion in 2022, when the height of Sagrada Familia finally reaches the coveted mark of 172.
5 meters, and the Temple will become the highest building in Barcelona.
During the open days organized this year by the Temple administration at the end of September (on a free basis, about 30,000 people were able to visit the Sagrada for three days)
residents of Barcelona) Esteve Camps, President of the Building Council, and Jordi Fauli, Chief Architect of the project, publicly announced the work plan for the next four years.
In accordance with it, by 2022 it is planned to complete four towers of evangelists, each of which will reach a height of 135 meters, and, most importantly, to complete the construction of the central tower of the project dedicated to
Christ, and place a transparent elevator inside it, which will lift visitors from a mark of 85 meters to a height of 138 meters.
From there, having made a short ascent on foot, you can get to the observation deck with a circular view, located at an altitude of 144 meters.
The interior of the tower will be complemented by stained-glass windows and ceramics, the main task of which is to express in an artistic form the creation of all things by God and at the same time show nothing more nor less than
“big bang”, thus uniting science and religion into a single whole, since, according to the current builders of the Temple, faith and scientific thought in no way contradict each other
friend.
I note that such an idea regarding the interiors of the tower of Christ could hardly have come to mind Antonio Gaudi – at least already
because he himself died long before the advent of the Big Bang Theory. However, it is precisely the complete absence of any plans or instructions from Gaudi regarding the interiors of the central tower that bestows
designers a certain freedom.
However, understanding the project of the Sagrada Familia as an unprecedented attempt to combine revolutionary design ideas with the fanatical faith of a devout Catholic, it can be assumed that
Gaudí would have reacted quite favorably to such an idea.
But we can only guess about this – although in everything that concerns the appearance of the central tower and the giant cross crowning it with a height, without taking into account the base, 17 and a width of 13
meters, the architects strictly follow the idea of Gaudi.
In the center of the hollow space of the tower of Christ, they will build another one, inside which an absolutely transparent elevator will go, and around it it will be possible to climb the same observation deck along the screw,
twisted in the form of a snail, stairs.
The site itself will not have any open terraces, but only windows. It will also be the base of a giant three-dimensional cross, typical of most of the buildings of Antonio Gaudi.
I write about all these amazing things, and involuntarily I constantly catch myself thinking that very soon, after some few years, together with my tourists, I
I will rush upstairs in that same elevator – what, I wonder, will I experience then?
And finally – what has already been built (beige) and what has yet to be built (red). At the moment (autumn 2018), at least 70% of construction work has been completed, and given how much
In recent years, the annual budget of this monumental construction has grown (now it is about 100,000,000 euros), it can be hoped that everything will be completed in 2026.
Top 10 Viewpoints in Barcelona
Home / /
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Mikhail Schwartz
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Made a selection of 11 amazing viewpoints in Barcelona.
Go to any of them in good weather and take the best pictures of the city.
Map of all viewing stations
Monument to Columbus
Mount Tibidabo
Collserola TV Tower
Towers of the Sagrada Familia
Observation deck from bullfighting arena
Observation deck in front of the National Palace
Fortress of Montjuic
View from Parc Güell
Bunker El Carmel (Canons del Carmel)
Viewpoint on the roof of the Barceló Raval Hotel
Jardins del Turó del Putxet
Columbus Monument
It must be said that in almost every Spanish city there is a monument to Columbus.
In which city is this monument to H. Columbus installed? In Barcelona. At this very place, Columbus told about his discovery!
I didn’t want to put the monument on my sightseeing list until we got up in the morning. It is very, very crowded there, come in the morning to the very opening, while no one is there. We did just that. Quietly about 20 minutes photographed excellent panoramas.
Admission costs €6. Take metro L3 to Drassanes station.
Mount Tibidabo
The highest point in Barcelona is Mount Tibidabo. Tourists from all over the world come here to relax. At the very top of the Tibidabo hill, which crowns the Collserola mountain, there is an amusement park, which is one of the symbols of the city. This park was created in 1899 by Salvador Andreu.
Getting to the mountain is not so easy, but interesting. Great views over the amusement park and from Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Collserola TV Tower
Torre de Collserola (photo: Francisco Aragão)
It makes sense to go here if you want to walk through the green hills on the road from Tibidabo.
The view is almost the same, but the tower has the highest observation deck in Barcelona. On the elevator you will rise to a height of 560 meters! There are fewer tourists here than on Tibidabo.
Sagrada Familia towers
According to Gaudí’s project, 18 towers were planned, 8 towers have been built at the moment. You can visit them with a special ticket “Top Views” for €29. It includes entrance tickets, an audio guide and a climb to the towers. Or you can just pay on the spot about € 3 for the lift.
Observation deck from the bullring
View of the Plaza de España (Photo by Jose Fernandez)
Formerly a bullfighting lease, now the Las Arenas shopping center. You get to the metro station or bus Plaça d’Espanya. On the square you will see a round arena.
You need to get on the roof.
For €1 you can go upstairs and walk along the glass panoramic corridor, but you can do it for free. To do this, we go to the shopping center and take the elevator to the top floor. That’s all. We enjoy the view of Plaza de España, the National Art Museum of Catalonia, and take selfies.
Great, now go straight to the palace and go up the stairs.
Observation deck in front of the National Museum
Observation deck in front of the National Museum
There is also a great view, and in the evenings there are also singing fountains. In the distance you can see Mount Tibidabo and the TV tower, we have already been there.
We walk further along Montjuic, take the funicular and cable car up to the fortress.
Montjuic Fortress
Montjuic Fortress is located on top of a mountain. Mount Montjuic (approximately 177 m.) rises above the port area of Barcelona and has several legends about the origin of its name.
One says that in ancient times there was a settlement of the Celteberians.
Take metro L2 or L3 to Paral-lel station. Then transfer to the funicular (the same metro ticket is valid) and go one more stop to the Parc de Montjuic station. Next, you need to go to the cable car and go to the Castell station.
Montjuïc Fortress can be reached by bus 150, which starts from the Plaza de España.
The whole mountain is a bunch of lookouts. Lookout on the fortress itself, lookouts in the Jardins Miramar and Mirador del Migdia gardens, lookout at the station of the old cable car.
View from Park Güell
Park Güell
This greatest creation of Antonio Gaudi, no doubt, made Barcelona famous, and provided the most brilliant architect with a pass to eternity. Like other creations of the great maestro, Park Güell is taken under the protection of UNESCO as a pearl of world heritage.
The park itself is beautiful, but there are a lot of people, it’s hard to walk, but what a view of Barcelona.
Entrance to the park costs €7.
Bunker El Carmel
Bunkers del Carmel (Photo by Alfonso Sanz Arronte)
A very exclusive place – Bunkers del Carmel, left it for a snack. Once upon a time, defensive anti-aircraft installations were located on this place. I recommend watching the sunset here. Call your soulmate on a date, grab wine and jamon, arrange a romantic evening. Don’t forget to bring a hat and jacket. it’s cool here in the evening. The most convenient way to get there on foot is from El Carmel or Alfons X 9 stations0003
Viewpoint on the roof of the Barceló Raval Hotel
Viewpoint on the roof of the Barceló Raval Hotel (Photo by Ignasi Piña Jurnet)
I have not been to this viewpoint, but judging by the photos, the place is wonderful. There is a cafe on the roof where you can arrange romantic get-togethers.
Jardins del Turó del Putxet
Jardins del Turó del Putxet (Photo by Krakatuk)
This park is near Parc Güell, but on a neighboring hill.